Market Report: Three Auction Recaps and a Quick Auction Preview

Joe Orlando -
April 4, 2001

Cap Anson Old Judge Cabinet card

Documents and Displays Dominate at $5,000,000 Robert Edward Auction

Robert Edward Auctions has always offered high-end collectibles to the sports market and, judging by their latest sale, the tradition continues. When the auction closed, the final tally was $4,943,000 with many lots establishing new price records in various areas of the collecting world. Here's a peek at some of the highlights:

Item

Price Realized

The Dugout by Norman
Rockwell

$345,000

T202 Christy Mathewson
Advertising Poster

$67,386

T202 Ty Cobb Advertising
Poster

$45,919

William Howard Taft
Signed Baseball

$39,708

T206 Ty Cobb with Ty
Cobb Back PSA Authentic

$49,223

Alexander Cartwright
Letter with Baseball

$74,917

Henry Chadwick Single
Signed First Day Baseball

$61,046

1923 Notre Dame Football
Team Signed Photo

$7,216

1969-1973 Wilt Chamberlain
Game-Used Jersey

$26,435

1887 N173 Old Judge
Cabinet Cap Anson

$31,189

1969 Topps Decal Factory
Roll of 10,000 w/Willie Mays

$30,203

1969 Topps Decal Factory
Roll of 10,000 w/Reggie Jackson

$33,224

1919 Chicago White
Sox Team Issued Card Set

$46,303

Dr. Seuss Original
"Cat in the Hat" Drawing

$22,152

"Don't be Cruel" Handwritten
Song Lyrics by Elvis Presley

$28,750

1966 Eddie Mathews
Signed/Game-Used Jersey

$10,582

1966 Billy Williams
Signed/Game-Used Jersey

$10,330

1981 Pete Rose Signed/Game-Used
3,630 Hit Jersey

$13,563

1994 Ken Griffey Jr.
Game-Used All-Star Glove

$9,607

1965-68 Willie Mays
Game-Used H&B Bat

$7,054

1971-1979 Roberto Clemente
Game-Used Bat

$4,817

Circa 1927 Babe Ruth
Sporting News Die-Cut Display

$43,613

1928 Babe Ruth Fro-Joy
Ice Cream Store Display Advertising Sign

$21,846

Circa 1956 Mickey Mantle
Signed Rawlings Display

$5,299

1920 Joe Sewell Game-Used/Signed
H&B World Series Bat

$8,966

1986 Keith Hernandez
Gold Glove Award

$23,262

"Mickey Mantle" Original
Painting by Leroy Neiman

$32,765

1966 Topps Pete Rose
#30 PSA 9 Mint

$11,364

1909-11 T206 Honus
Wagner PSA 1 PR-FR

$50,934

1912 E300 Plow's Candy
Ty Cobb PSA 5 EX

$10,189

1915 M101-5 Sporting
News Babe Ruth #151 PSA 7 NM

$32,765

1916 Boston Store Babe
Ruth #147 PSA 7 NM

$18,493

1916 Boston Store Joe
Jackson #82 PSA 7 NM

$10,436

1965 Topps Frank Robinson
#120 PSA 9 Mint

$1,286

Babe Ruth's Last Game-Used
Bat

$59,662

There were many record setting results from the sale and Robert Lifson, President of Robert Edward Auctions, was happy to report the news. "I was really pleased with the results especially after being a bit concerned about the potential impact of the stock market," explained Lifson. "It was probably the worst week possible to hold an auction, but the bidders really came through. What we found was that collectors still want to collect regardless of the stock market. The impact of the stock market was virtually undetectable."

After looking at the highlight list, you can see that there were many incredibly strong prices realized in the sale. Lifson made note of several key items from the auction. "The T202 Mathewson display piece was one of only two known," said Lifson. "The other example sold in our July auction. We were concerned that a second example offered so soon after might not do as well, but when the bidding was over this piece set another record price at a little more than $67,000. We were very pleased with the results across the board."

There were also many other noteworthy, record breaking lots. "The T206 Ty Cobb with the Cobb back broke the previous record by over 50%," said Lifson. "The most we've ever sold this rarity for was $32,600. This example sold for a record $49,223. Our Henry Chadwick signed baseball also set a record, to the best of our knowledge, for the highest auction price ever paid for a non-Ruth single signed baseball. This lot appealed to some very advanced autograph collectors and it reflected in the price. We were also very proud to be able to offer such a tremendous selection of original artwork, especially the Norman Rockwell original oil (which sold for $345,000) and the collection of LeRoy Neiman paintings. This was a landmark sale for the hobby in terms of artwork, and exposed the sports collecting field to thousands of collectors of fine art for the first time."

Lifson was also quick to point out a building trend in the market. "At one time, the name PSA was synonymous only with high grade material," explained Lifson. "Now, collectors are appreciating having cards of all grades authenticated by PSA. There is a tremendous demand for PSA graded medium and even low grade vintage cards, especially rarities and stars such as Ruth and Gehrig, because they are more affordable and represent a solid value for collectors. This is definitely a trend. A lot of collectors are also realizing that when their cards are graded by PSA, it makes the whole process of both buying and selling easier. Many of our strongest prices were for PSA graded cards that were low-to-mid grade or obscure vintage issues."

Robert Edward Auctions is planning on a November sale and they are currently seeking consignments. Robert Lifson can be reached at (908)-226-9900.

Gem Mint Mantle Sets Record at Andy Madec Auction

You know what they say, "Records are made to be broken." When you combine the legendary Mickey Mantle with a grade of PSA Gem Mint 10, a price record is bound to be in jeopardy. When the bidding ceased at Andy Madec's last auction, a PSA Gem Mint 10 Mickey Mantle from the 1963 Topps set closed at $51,194. This final bid made history as the highest price ever paid for a 1960's baseball card. The overall auction finished with $379,000 in total bids and it featured many pristine rarities. Here's a look at some of the highlights from the sale:

Card

PSA Grade

Price Realized

1915 Cracker Jack Christy
Mathewson #88

8

$19,655

1933 Goudey Dazzy Vance
#2

8

$5,360

1933 Goudey Sport Kings
Babe Ruth #2

7

$6,415

1887 Allen & Ginter
Joseph Mulvey

8

$3,000

1933 Goudey Lafayette
Johnson #13

8

$2,661

1950 Bowman Ted Williams
#98

8

$4,287

1949 Bowman Robin Roberts
#46

9

$2,576

1952 Topps Bill Wight
#177

8

$2,420

1952 Topps Harry Simpson
#193

8

$1,429

1955 Topps Hank Aaron
#47

9

$14,236

1961 Topps Bob Clemente
#388

9

$2,197

1956 Topps Sandy Koufax
#79

9

$6,822

1957 Topps Brooks Robinson
#328

9

$8,858

1958 Topps Roger Maris
#47

9

$6,430

1960 Topps Hank Aaron
#300

9

$8,575

1963 Topps Sandy Koufax
#210

9

$7,795

1963 Topps Stan Musial
#250

9

$3,245

1964 Topps Sandy Koufax
#200

9

$3,113

1970 Topps Thurman
Munson #189

9

$1,610

1963 Topps Mickey Mantle
#200

10

$51,194

PSA Gems Steal Show at Superior's Latest Sale

I think it is safe to say that it has been a long time since so many key PSA Gem Mint 10's been offered in one auction. Superior Sports Auctions had the pleasure of offering these fabulous gems to the collecting public and the results spoke for themselves. The auction finished with $579,396 in total bids and many of the prices set records. Here's a look at some of the highlights from the sale:

Card

PSA Grade

Price Realized

1953 Bowman Rizzuto/Martin
#93

9

$14,950

1957 Topps Ernie Banks
#55

10

$9,488

1958 Topps Pee Wee
Reese #375

10

$5,060

1959 Topps Yogi Berra
#180

10

$6,325

1959 Topps Fence Busters
#212

9

$5,520

1960 Topps Carl Yastrzemski
#148

9

$3,853

1961 Topps Duke Snider
#443

10

$2,875

1961 Topps Ernie Banks
All-Star #575

10

$3,220

1961 Topps Roger Maris
All-Star #576

10

$3,105

1961 Topps Mickey Mantle
All-Star #578

10

$9,488

1962 Topps Bob Clemente
#10

9

$7,303

1962 Topps Ernie Banks
#25

9

$3,220

1964 Topps Yogi Berra
#21

10

$3,680

1964 Topps Willie Mays
#150

9

$4,945

1965 Topps Willie Mays
#250

9

$3,450

1968 Topps Hank Aaron
#110

9

$1,725

1968 Topps Hank Aaron
#110

10

$7,188

1968 Topps Nolan Ryan
#177

9

$6,066

1968 Topps Mickey Mantle
#280

10

$12,075

1968 Topps Manager's
Dream #480

10

$2,645

1953 Bowman Herman
Wehmeier #23

10

$1,812

1957 Topps Tony Kubek
#312

9

$1,324

1958 Topps Orlando
Cepeda #343

9

$3,600

1960 Topps Eddie Mathews
#420

9

$2,645

1967 Topps Eddie Mathews
#166

9

$664

1962 Topps Bob Gibson
#530

9

$1,495

1960 Topps Mickey Mantle
#350

8

$2,300

1964 Topps Mickey Mantle
#50

8

$1,439

1993 SP Derek Jeter
#279

9

$1,380

1979-80 O-Pee-Chee
Wayne Gretzky #18

8

$1,324

The auction was filled with very solid prices in virtually all areas of the catalogue. Chris Porter, Director of Auctions for Superior Sports, noticed the bidding balance. "There was no weakness to be found," explained Porter. "What we saw was a continued strength in the market at all levels. The solid demand, across the board, was a great sign for the hobby. When it came to the classic, power cards, the bids were there, no matter what sport."

The amount of quality PSA 10's caught the eyes of many bidders and Porter was pleased with the reaction from bidders. "We were very proud to be able to offer the amount of PSA 10's we had for this auction," said Porter. "It has always been our focus and we try our best each and every auction to provide the best of the best for our most discriminating clients."

While the 10's may have stole the show, Porter noticed a trend in collector demand. "During the last 3-4 months, there has certainly been an upward swing in post-war Hall of Fame rookie cards," explained Porter. "The 1950's and 1960's rookie cards of players like Yastrzemski, Ryan, and even guys like Cepeda have all enjoyed an upswing. It seems as if collectors are working their way back to the basics and rookie cards have always represented a classic way of assembling a collection."

Superior will be holding another auction in late June and they are currently seeking consignments. Chris Porter can be reached at 231-922-9862.

Mile High Auction Features Large Group of High-End PSA Cards

On April 17, Mile High Auctions will be holding a high-grade PSA auction featuring some major stars from days past including early "power" cards and various NM-MT and Mint issues up through the present. Some of the highlights include a PSA 9 T206 Christy Mathewson (dark cap), a PSA 8 1933 Goudey Sport King Babe Ruth, PSA 8 and 9 rookie cards of Mays, DiMaggio, Williams, Aaron, Ford, Banks, Koufax, Rose, and Ryan, and a hoard of PSA 9 Hall of Famers from all eras including everything from a PSA 9 1911 Walter Johnson to a PSA 9 1972 Topps Pete Rose. There is something for everyone in this quality sale and, if you would like more information about the auction, please contact Bryan Drent at 303-840-2784.

Babe Ruth’s rookie - 1915 Sporting News

T206 Honus Wagner PSA 1

—
Joe Orlando has been an advanced collector of sportscards and memorabilia for over 25 years. Orlando attended Westmont College in Santa Barbara, California where he studied communications and was the starting catcher for the baseball team. After a brief stint in the minor leagues, Orlando obtained a Juris Doctor from Whittier Law School in Southern California in the spring of 1999. During the last fourteen years, Orlando has authored several collecting guides and dozens of articles for Collectors Universe, Inc. Orlando has also authored two books for Collectors Universe. Orlando's first book, The Top 200 Sportscards in the Hobby, was released in the summer of 2002. His second book, Collecting Sports Legends, was released in the summer of 2008. Orlando has appeared on several radio and television programs as a hobby expert including ESPN's award-winning program Outside the Lines and HBO's Real Sports, as the featured guest. Currently, Orlando is the President of PSA and PSA/DNA, the largest trading card and sports memorabilia authentication services in the hobby. He is also Editor of the company's nationally distributed Sports Market Report, which under Orlando's direction has developed into a leading resource in the market. Orlando also contributed the foreword and last chapter to The T206 Collection: The Players and Their Stories, a 2010 release, and to The Cracker Jack Collection: Baseball's Prized Players, a 2013 release.